You Will Need

A ruthless self-appraisal

Discipline

Steps

Step 1

Know the show

Be familiar with the show you’re applying to. It will provide invaluable insight into the different kinds of personalities they’re after, not to mention the kind of personal information or life drama that may give you an edge.

Step 2

Follow instructions

Follow the application instructions to the letter. If they want a DVD, don’t send a VHS.

Step 3

Be seen and heard

Before you start each shot, make sure you can be seen and heard. Don’t play the radio or TV in the background, and have the light source in front or above you. Don’t stand in sunlit windows!

Step 4

Don’t bury the lead

Lead with your most powerful stuff. Just as people decide if they like someone in the first few seconds of meeting them, TV producers make up their minds about wannabes in the first 30 to 60 seconds of their audition tape.

If you’re going to do something unusual in your video—like twisting yourself into a pretzel—do it off the top. Then get down to business.

Step 5

Focus on story

Focus on telling your story—not just creating a cool, funny, or wacky persona. Are you just out of jail? About to get married? Give them a narrative they can work with.

Step 6

Emphasize your faults

Emphasize your faults, not your strengths. Being likeable is boring; producers would rather see the weaknesses that could make for compelling TV.

Do not describe yourself as a 'people person.' It’s a cliché that could torpedo your chances.

Step 7

Be high energy

Be high energy. Reality TV is no place for shrinking violets.

Step 8

Let your actions speak

Whenever possible, let your actions on the video speak for you. Show the producers what you can do instead of telling them about it.

Step 9

Keep it simple

Keep the tape simple. You may think you’ll impress the producers with special effects and fancy editing, but the truth is that you’ll just distract them from learning about you.

Step 10

Don’t be shy

Don’t be shy about displaying your physical assets. Let’s face it—TV is a visual medium, and a pretty face and/or a rock-hard body are always going to give applicants an edge.

Step 11

Include contact information

Be sure to include your name and contact information clearly on the tape.

Step 12

Shut up

Do not post your audition tape online. You will immediately be ruled out, because producers like to introduce their casts themselves.

Fifty-one percent of people polled said it was okay for reality show contestants to have a rap sheet.